\"DidInottellyou？\"shesobbed，tryingtowrigglegentlyoutfromunderhisgrip。\"DidInottellyouthatIsawthewitchwomanpushthecanoe？Ilayhiddeninthegrassandheardallthewords。ShethatweusedtocallthewhiteMemwantedtoreturntolookatyourface，butthewitchwomanforbadeher，and——\"
Shesankloweryetonherelbow，turninghalfroundunderthedownwardpushoftheheavyhand，herfacelifteduptohimwithspitefuleyes。
\"Andsheobeyed，\"sheshoutedoutinahalf-laugh，half-cryofpain。\"Letmego，Tuan。Whyareyouangrywithme？
Hasten，oryoushallbetoolatetoshowyourangertothedeceitfulwoman。\"
Almayerdraggedheruptoherfeetandlookedcloseintoherfacewhileshestruggled，turningherheadawayfromhiswildstare。
\"Whosentyouheretotormentme？\"heasked，violently。\"Idonotbelieveyou。Youlie。\"
Hestraightenedhisarmsuddenlyandflungheracrosstheverandahtowardsthedoorway，whereshelayimmobileandsilent，asifshehadleftherlifeinhisgrasp，adarkheap，withoutasoundorastir。
\"Oh！Nina！\"whisperedAlmayer，inavoiceinwhichreproachandlovespoketogetherinpainedtenderness。\"Oh！Nina！
Idonotbelieve。\"
Alightdraughtfromtheriverranoverthecourtyardinawaveofbowinggrassand，enteringtheverandah，touchedAlmayer\'sforeheadwithitscoolbreath，inacaressofinfinitepity。Thecurtaininthewomen\'sdoorwayblewoutandinstantlycollapsedwithstartlinghelplessness。Hestaredattheflutteringstuff。
\"Nina！\"criedAlmayer。\"Whereareyou，Nina？\"
Thewindpassedoutoftheemptyhouseinatremuloussigh，andallwasstill。
Almayerhidhisfaceinhishandsasiftoshutoutaloathsomesight。When，hearingaslightrustle，heuncoveredhiseyes，thedarkheapbythedoorwasgone。
chapter11
CHAPTERXI。
Inthemiddleofashadowlesssquareofmoonlight，shiningonasmoothandlevelexpanseofyoungrice-shoots，alittleshelter-hutperchedonhighposts，thepileofbrushwoodnearbyandtheglowingembersofafirewithamanstretchedbeforeit，seemedverysmallandasiflostinthepalegreeniridescencereflectedfromtheground。Onthreesidesoftheclearing，appearingveryfarawayinthedeceptivelight，thebigtreesoftheforest，lashedtogetherwithmanifoldbondsbyamassoftangledcreepers，lookeddownatthegrowingyounglifeattheirfeetwiththesombreresignationofgiantsthathadlostfaithintheirstrength。Andinthemidstofthemthemercilesscreepersclungtothebigtrunksincable-likecoils，leapedfromtreetotree，hunginthornyfestoonsfromthelowerboughs，and，sendingslendertendrilsonhightoseekoutthesmallestbranches，carrieddeathtotheirvictimsinanexultingriotofsilentdestruction。
Onthefourthside，followingthecurveofthebankofthatbranchofthePantaithatformedtheonlyaccesstotheclearing，ranablacklineofyoungtrees，bushes，andthicksecondgrowth，unbrokensaveforasmallgapchoppedoutinoneplace。Atthatgapbeganthenarrowfootpathleadingfromthewater\'sedgetothegrass-builtshelterusedbythenightwatcherswhentheripeningcrophadtobeprotectedfromthewildpigs。Thepathwayendedatthefootofthepilesonwhichthehutwasbuilt，inacircularspacecoveredwithashesandbitsofburntwood。Inthemiddleofthatspace，bythedimfire，layDain。
Heturnedoveronhissidewithanimpatientsigh，and，pillowinghisheadonhisbentarm，layquietlywithhisfacetothedyingfire。Theglowingembersshoneredlyinasmallcircle，throwingagleamintohiswide-openeyes，andateverydeepbreaththefinewhiteashofbygonefiresroseinalightcloudbeforehispartedlips，anddancedawayfromthewarmglowintothemoonbeamspouringdownuponBulangi\'sclearing。Hisbodywaswearywiththeexertionofthepastfewdays，hismindmorewearystillwiththestrainofsolitarywaitingforhisfate。Neverbeforehadhefeltsohelpless。Hehadheardthereportofthegunfiredonboardthelaunch，andheknewthathislifewasinuntrustworthyhands，andthathisenemieswereverynear。Duringtheslowhoursoftheafternoonheroamedaboutontheedgeoftheforest，or，hidinginthebushes，watchedthecreekwithunquieteyesforsomesignofdanger。Hefearednotdeath，yethedesiredardentlytolive，forlifetohimwasNina。Shehadpromisedtocome，tofollowhim，tosharehisdangerandhissplendour。Butwithherbyhissidehecarednotfordanger，andwithouthertherecouldbenosplendourandnojoyinexistence。
Crouchinginhisshadyhiding-place，heclosedhiseyes，tryingtoevokethegraciousandcharmingimageofthewhitefigurethatforhimwasthebeginningandtheendoflife。Witheyesshuttight，histeethhardset，hetriedinagreateffortofpassionatewilltokeephisholdonthatvisionofsupremedelight。Invain！HisheartgrewheavyasthefigureofNinafadedawaytobereplacedbyanothervisionthistime——avisionofarmedmen，ofangryfaces，ofglitteringarms——andheseemedtohearthehumofexcitedandtriumphantvoicesastheydiscoveredhiminhishiding-place。Startledbythevividnessofhisfancy，hewouldopenhiseyes，and，leapingoutintothesunlight，resumehisaimlesswanderingsaroundtheclearing。Asheskirtedinhiswearymarchtheedgeoftheforestheglancednowandthenintoitsdarkshade，soenticinginitsdeceptiveappearanceofcoolness，sorepellentwithitsunrelievedgloom，wherelay，entombedandrotting，countlessgenerationsoftrees，andwheretheirsuccessorsstoodasifmourning，indarkgreenfoliage，immenseandhelpless，awaitingtheirturn。Onlytheparasitesseemedtolivethereinasinuousrushupwardsintotheairandsunshine，feedingonthedeadandthedyingalike，andcrowningtheirvictimswithpinkandblueflowersthatgleamedamongsttheboughs，incongruousandcruel，likeastridentandmockingnoteinthesolemnharmonyofthedoomedtrees。
Amancouldhidethere，thoughtDain，asheapproachedaplacewherethecreepershadbeentornandhackedintoanarchwaythatmighthavebeenthebeginningofapath。Ashebentdowntolookthroughheheardangrygrunting，andasounderofwildpigcrashedawayintheundergrowth。Anacridsmellofdampearthandofdecayingleavestookhimbythethroat，andhedrewbackwithascaredface，asifhehadbeentouchedbythebreathofDeathitself。Theveryairseemeddeadinthere——heavyandstagnating，poisonedwiththecorruptionofcountlessages。Hewenton，staggeringonhisway，urgedbythenervousrestlessnessthatmadehimfeeltiredyetcausedhimtoloathetheveryideaofimmobilityandrepose。Washeawildmantohideinthewoodsandperhapsbekilledthere——inthedarkness——wheretherewasnoroomtobreathe？Hewouldwaitforhisenemiesinthesunlight，wherehecouldseetheskyandfeelthebreeze。HeknewhowaMalaychiefshoulddie。Thesombreanddesperatefury，thatpeculiarinheritanceofhisrace，tookpossessionofhim，andheglaredsavagelyacrosstheclearingtowardsthegapinthebushesbytheriverside。Theywouldcomefromthere。Inimaginationhesawthemnow。Hesawthebeardedfacesandthewhitejacketsoftheofficers，thelightonthelevelledbarrelsoftherifles。
Whatisthebraveryofthegreatestwarriorbeforethefirearmsinthehandofaslave？Hewouldwalktowardthemwithasmilingface，withhishandsheldoutinasignofsubmissiontillhewasverynearthem。Hewouldspeakfriendlywords——comeneareryet——yetnearer——sonearthattheycouldtouchhimwiththeirhandsandstretchthemouttomakehimacaptive。Thatwouldbethetime：withashoutandaleaphewouldbeinthemidstofthem，krissinhand，killing，killing，killing，andwoulddiewiththeshoutsofhisenemiesinhisears，theirwarmbloodspurtingbeforehiseyes。
Carriedawaybyhisexcitement，hesnatchedthekrisshiddeninhissarong，and，drawingalongbreath，rushedforward，struckattheemptyair，andfellonhisface。Helayasifstunnedinthesuddenreactionfromhisexaltation，thinkingthat，evenifhediedthusgloriously，itwouldhavetobebeforehesawNina。
Betterso。Ifhesawheragainhefeltthatdeathwouldbetooterrible。Withhorrorhe，thedescendantofRajahsandofconquerors，hadtofacethedoubtofhisownbravery。Hisdesireoflifetormentedhiminaparoxysmofagonisingremorse。Hehadnotthecouragetostiralimb。Hehadlostfaithinhimself，andtherewasnothingelseinhimofwhatmakesaman。Thesufferingremained，foritisorderedthatitshouldabideinthehumanbodyeventothelastbreath，andfearremained。Dimlyhecouldlookintothedepthsofhispassionatelove，seeitsstrengthanditsweakness，andfeltafraid。
Thesunwentdownslowly。Theshadowofthewesternforestmarchedovertheclearing，coveredtheman\'sscorchedshoulderswithitscoolmantle，andwentonhurriedlytominglewiththeshadowsofotherforestsontheeasternside。Thesunlingeredforawhileamongstthelighttraceryofthehigherbranches，asifinfriendlyreluctancetoabandonthebodystretchedinthegreenpaddy-field。ThenDain，revivedbythecooloftheeveningbreeze，satupandstaredroundhim。Ashedidsothesundippedsharply，asifashamedofbeingdetectedinasympathisingattitude，andtheclearing，whichduringthedaywasalllight，becamesuddenlyalldarkness，wherethefiregleamedlikeaneye。
Dainwalkedslowlytowardsthecreek，and，divestinghimselfofhistornsarong，hisonlygarment，enteredthewatercautiously。
Hehadhadnothingtoeatthatday，andhadnotdaredshowhimselfindaylightbythewater-sidetodrink。Now，asheswamsilently，heswallowedafewmouthfulsofwaterthatlappedabouthislips。Thisdidhimgood，andhewalkedwithgreaterconfidenceinhimselfandothersashereturnedtowardsthefire。
HadhebeenbetrayedbyLakambaallwouldhavebeenoverbythis。
Hemadeupabigblaze，andwhileitlasteddriedhimself，andthenlaydownbytheembers。Hecouldnotsleep，buthefeltagreatnumbnessinallhislimbs。Hisrestlessnesswasgone，andhewascontenttolaystill，measuringthetimebywatchingthestarsthatroseinendlesssuccessionabovetheforests，whiletheslightpuffsofwindunderthecloudlessskyseemedtofantheirtwinkleintoagreaterbrightness。Dreamilyheassuredhimselfoverandoveragainthatshewouldcome，tillthecertitudecreptintohisheartandfilledhimwithagreatpeace。
Yes，whenthenextdaybroke，theywouldbetogetheronthegreatblueseathatwaslikelife——awayfromtheforeststhatwerelikedeath。HemurmuredthenameofNinaintothesilentspacewithatendersmile：thisseemedtobreakthespellofstillness，andfarawaybythecreekafrogcroakedloudlyasifinanswer。A
chorusofloudroarsandplaintivecallsrosefromthemudalongthelineofbushes。Helaughedheartily；doubtlessitwastheirlove-song。Hefeltaffectionatetowardsthefrogsandlistened，pleasedwiththenoisylifenearhim。
Whenthemoonpeepedabovethetreeshefelttheoldimpatienceandtheoldrestlessnessstealoverhim。Whywasshesolate？
True，itwasalongwaytocomewithasinglepaddle。Withwhatskillandwhatendurancecouldthosesmallhandsmanageaheavypaddle！Itwasverywonderful——suchsmallhands，suchsoftlittlepalmsthatknewhowtotouchhischeekwithafeellighterthanthefanningofabutterfly\'swing。Wonderful！Helosthimselflovinglyinthecontemplationofthistremendousmystery，andwhenhelookedatthemoonagainithadrisenahand\'sbreadthabovethetrees。Wouldshecome？Heforcedhimselftolaystill，overcomingtheimpulsetoriseandrushroundtheclearingagain。Heturnedthiswayandthat；atlast，quiveringwiththeeffort，helayonhisback，andsawherfaceamongthestarslookingdownonhim。
Thecroakingoffrogssuddenlyceased。WiththewatchfulnessofahuntedmanDainsatup，listeninganxiously，andheardseveralsplashesinthewaterasthefrogstookrapidheadersintothecreek。Heknewthattheyhadbeenalarmedbysomething，andstoodupsuspiciousandattentive。Aslightgratingnoise，thenthedrysoundasoftwopiecesofwoodstruckagainsteachother。
Somebodywasabouttoland！Hetookupanarmfulofbrushwood，and，withouttakinghiseyesfromthepath，helditovertheembersofhisfire。Hewaited，undecided，andsawsomethinggleamamongstthebushes；thenawhitefigurecameoutoftheshadowsandseemedtofloattowardshiminthepalelight。Hisheartgaveagreatleapandstoodstill，thenwentonshakinghisframeinfuriousbeats。Hedroppedthebrushwoodupontheglowingcoals，andhadanimpressionofshoutinghername——ofrushingtomeether；yetheemittednosound，hestirrednotaninch，buthestoodsilentandmotionlesslikechiselledbronzeunderthemoonlightthatstreamedoverhisnakedshoulders。Ashestoodstill，fightingwithhisbreath，asifbereftofhissensesbytheintensityofhisdelight，shewalkeduptohimwithquick，resolutesteps，and，withtheappearanceofoneabouttoleapfromadangerousheight，threwbothherarmsroundhisneckwithasuddengesture。Asmallbluegleamcreptamongstthedrybranches，andthecracklingofrevivingfirewastheonlysoundastheyfacedeachotherinthespeechlessemotionofthatmeeting；thenthedryfuelcaughtatonce，andabrighthotflameshotupwardsinablazeashighastheirheads，andinitslighttheysaweachother\'seyes。
Neitherofthemspoke。Hewasregaininghissensesinaslighttremorthatranupwardsalonghisrigidbodyandhungabouthistremblinglips。Shedrewbackherheadandfastenedhereyesonhisinoneofthoselonglooksthatareawoman\'smostterribleweapon；alookthatismorestirringthantheclosesttouch，andmoredangerousthanthethrustofadagger，becauseitalsowhipsthesouloutofthebody，butleavesthebodyaliveandhelpless，tobeswayedhereandtherebythecapricioustempestsofpassionanddesire；alookthatenwrapsthewholebody，andthatpenetratesintotheinnermostrecessesofthebeing，bringingterribledefeatinthedeliriousupliftingofaccomplishedconquest。Ithasthesamemeaningforthemanoftheforestsandtheseaasforthemanthreadingthepathsofthemoredangerouswildernessofhousesandstreets。Menthathadfeltintheirbreaststheawfulexultationsuchalookawakensbecomemerethingsofto-day——whichisparadise；forgetyesterday——whichwassuffering；carenotforto-morrow——whichmaybeperdition。Theywishtoliveunderthatlookforever。Itisthelookofwoman\'ssurrender。
Heunderstood，and，asifsuddenlyreleasedfromhisinvisiblebonds，fellatherfeetwithashoutofjoy，and，embracingherknees，hidhisheadinthefoldsofherdress，murmuringdisjointedwordsofgratitudeandlove。Neverbeforehadhefeltsoproudasnow，whenatthefeetofthatwomanthathalfbelongedtohisenemies。Herfingersplayedwithhishairinanabsent-mindedcaressasshestoodabsorbedinthought。Thethingwasdone。Hermotherwasright。Themanwasherslave。
Assheglanceddownathiskneelingformshefeltagreatpityingtendernessforthatmanshewasusedtocall——eveninherthoughts——themasteroflife。Sheliftedhereyesandlookedsadlyatthesouthernheavensunderwhichlaythepathoftheirlives——herown，andthatman\'satherfeet。Didhenotsayhimselfisthatshewasthelightofhislife？Shewouldbehislightandhiswisdom；shewouldbehisgreatnessandhisstrength；yethiddenfromtheeyesofallmenshewouldbe，aboveall，hisonlyandlastingweakness。Averywoman！Inthesublimevanityofherkindshewasthinkingalreadyofmouldingagodfromtheclayatherfeet。Agodforotherstoworship。
Shewascontenttoseehimashewasnow，andtofeelhimquiverattheslightesttouchofherlightfingers。Andwhilehereyeslookedsadlyatthesouthernstarsafaintsmileseemedtobeplayingaboutherfirmlips。Whocantellinthefitfullightofacampfire？Itmighthavebeenasmileoftriumph，orofconsciouspower，oroftenderpity，or，perhaps，oflove。
Shespokesoftlytohim，andherosetohisfeet，puttinghisarmroundherinquietconsciousnessofhisownership；shelaidherheadonhisshoulderwithasenseofdefiancetoalltheworldintheencirclingprotectionofthatarm。Hewasherswithallhisqualitiesandallhisfaults。Hisstrengthandhiscourage，hisrecklessnessandhisdaring，hissimplewisdomandhissavagecunning——allwerehers。Astheypassedtogetheroutoftheredlightofthefireintothesilvershowerofraysthatfellupontheclearinghebenthisheadoverherface，andshesawinhiseyesthedreamyintoxicationofboundlessfelicityfromtheclosetouchofherslightfigureclaspedtohisside。Witharhythmicalswingoftheirbodiestheywalkedthroughthelighttowardstheoutlyingshadowsoftheforeststhatseemedtoguardtheirhappinessinsolemnimmobility。Theirformsmeltedintheplayoflightandshadowatthefootofthebigtrees，butthemurmuroftenderwordslingeredovertheemptyclearing，grewfaint，anddiedout。Asighasofimmensesorrowpassedoverthelandinthelasteffortofthedyingbreeze，andinthedeepsilencewhichsucceeded，theearthandtheheavensweresuddenlyhushedupinthemournfulcontemplationofhumanloveandhumanblindness。
Theywalkedslowlybacktothefire。Hemadeforheraseatoutofthedrybranches，and，throwinghimselfdownatherfeet，layhisheadinherlapandgavehimselfuptothedreamydelightofthepassinghour。Theirvoicesroseandfell，tenderoranimatedastheyspokeoftheirloveandoftheirfuture。She，withafewskilfulwordsspokenfromtimetotime，guidedhisthoughts，andhelethishappinessflowinastreamoftalkpassionateandtender，graveormenacing，accordingtothemoodwhichsheevoked。Hespoketoherofhisownisland，wherethegloomyforestsandthemuddyriverswereunknown。Hespokeofitsterracedfields，ofthemurmuringclearrillsofsparklingwaterthatfloweddownthesidesofgreatmountains，bringinglifetothelandandjoytoitstillers。Andhespokealsoofthemountainpeakthatrisinglonelyabovethebeltoftreesknewthesecretsofthepassingclouds，andwasthedwelling-placeofthemysteriousspiritofhisrace，oftheguardiangeniusofhishouse。Hespokeofvasthorizonssweptbyfiercewindsthatwhistledhighabovethesummitsofburningmountains。Hespokeofhisforefathersthatconqueredagesagotheislandofwhichhewastobethefutureruler。Andthenas，inherinterest，shebroughtherfacenearertohis，he，touchinglightlythethicktressesofherlonghair，feltasuddenimpulsetospeaktoheroftheseahelovedsowell；andhetoldherofitsnever-ceasingvoice，towhichhehadlistenedasachild，wonderingatitshiddenmeaningthatnolivingmanhaspenetratedyet；ofitsenchantingglitter；ofitssenselessandcapriciousfury；howitssurfacewasforeverchanging，andyetalwaysenticing，whileitsdepthswereforeverthesame，coldandcruel，andfullofthewisdomofdestroyedlife。Hetoldherhowitheldmenslavesofitscharmforalifetime，andthen，regardlessoftheirdevotion，swallowedthemup，angryattheirfearofitsmystery，whichitwouldneverdisclose，noteventothosethatloveditmost。
Whilehetalked，Nina\'sheadhadbeengraduallysinkinglower，andherfacealmosttouchedhisnow。Herhairwasoverhiseyes，herbreathwasonhisforehead，herarmswereabouthisbody。
Notwobeingscouldbeclosertoeachother，yetsheguessedratherthanunderstoodthemeaningofhislastwordsthatcameoutafteraslighthesitationinafaintmurmur，dyingoutimperceptiblyintoaprofoundandsignificantsilence：\"Thesea，ONina，islikeawoman\'sheart。\"
Sheclosedhislipswithasuddenkiss，andansweredinasteadyvoice——
\"Buttothementhathavenofear，Omasterofmylife，theseaisevertrue。\"
Overtheirheadsafilmofdark，thread-likeclouds，lookinglikeimmensecobwebsdriftingunderthestars，darkenedtheskywiththepresageofthecomingthunderstorm。Fromtheinvisiblehillsthefirstdistantrumbleofthundercameinaprolongedrollwhich，aftertossingaboutfromhilltohill，lostitselfintheforestsofthePantai。DainandNinastoodup，andtheformerlookedattheskyuneasily。
\"ItistimeforBabalatchitobehere，\"hesaid。\"Thenightismorethanhalfgone。Ourroadislong，andabullettravelsquickerthanthebestcanoe。\"
\"Hewillbeherebeforethemoonishiddenbehindtheclouds，\"
saidNina。\"Iheardasplashinthewater，\"sheadded。\"Didyouhearittoo？\"
\"Alligator，\"answeredDainshortly，withacarelessglancetowardsthecreek。\"Thedarkerthenight，\"hecontinued，\"theshorterwillbeourroad，forthenwecouldkeepinthecurrentofthemainstream，butifitislight——evennomorethannow——wemustfollowthesmallchannelsofsleepingwater，withnothingtohelpourpaddles。\"
\"Dain，\"interposedNina，earnestly，\"itwasnoalligator。I
heardthebushesrustlingnearthelanding-place。\"
\"Yes，\"saidDain，afterlisteningawhile。\"ItcannotbeBabalatchi，whowouldcomeinabigwarcanoe，andopenly。Thosethatarecoming，whoevertheyare，donotwishtomakemuchnoise。Butyouhaveheard，andnowIcansee，\"hewentonquickly。\"Itisbutoneman。Standbehindme，Nina。
Ifheisafriendheiswelcome；ifheisanenemyyoushallseehimdie。\"
Helaidhishandonhiskriss，andawaitedtheapproachofhisunexpectedvisitor。Thefirewasburningverylow，andsmallclouds——precursorsofthestorm——crossedthefaceofthemooninrapidsuccession，andtheirflyingshadowsdarkenedtheclearing。
Hecouldnotmakeoutwhothemanmightbe，buthefeltuneasyatthesteadyadvanceofthetallfigurewalkingonthepathwithaheavytread，andhaileditwithacommandtostop。Themanstoppedatsomelittledistance，andDainexpectedhimtospeak，butallhecouldhearwashisdeepbreathing。Throughabreakintheflyingcloudsasuddenandfleetingbrightnessdescendedupontheclearing。Beforethedarknessclosedinagain，Dainsawahandholdingsomeglitteringobjectextendedtowardshim，heardNina\'scryof\"Father！\"andinaninstantthegirlwasbetweenhimandAlmayer\'srevolver。Nina\'sloudcrywokeuptheechoesofthesleepingwoods，andthethreestoodstillasifwaitingforthereturnofsilencebeforetheywouldgiveexpressiontotheirvariousfeelings。AttheappearanceofNina，Almayer\'sarmfellbyhisside，andhemadeastepforward。Dainpushedthegirlgentlyaside。
\"AmIawildbeastthatyoushouldtrytokillmesuddenlyandinthedark，TuanAlmayer？\"saidDain，breakingthestrainedsilence。\"Throwsomebrushwoodonthefire，\"hewenton，speakingtoNina，\"whileIwatchmywhitefriend，lestharmshouldcometoyouortome，Odelightofmyheart！\"
Almayergroundhisteethandraisedhisarmagain。WithaquickboundDainwasathisside：therewasashortscuffle，duringwhichonechamberoftherevolverwentoffharmlessly，thentheweapon，wrenchedoutofAlmayer\'shand，whirledthroughtheairandfellinthebushes。Thetwomenstoodclosetogether，breathinghard。ThereplenishedfirethrewoutanunsteadycircleoflightandshoneontheterrifiedfaceofNina，wholookedatthemwithoutstretchedhands。
\"Dain！\"shecriedoutwarningly，\"Dain！\"
Hewavedhishandtowardsherinareassuringgesture，and，turningtoAlmayer，saidwithgreatcourtesy——
\"Nowwemaytalk，Tuan。Itiseasytosendoutdeath，butcanyourwisdomrecallthelife？Shemighthavebeenharmed，\"hecontinued，indicatingNina。\"Yourhandshookmuch；formyselfI
wasnotafraid。\"
\"Nina！\"exclaimedAlmayer，\"cometomeatonce。Whatisthissuddenmadness？Whatbewitchedyou？Cometoyourfather，andtogetherweshalltrytoforgetthishorriblenightmare！\"
Heopenedhisarmswiththecertitudeofclaspinghertohisbreastinanothersecond。Shedidnotmove。Asitdawneduponhimthatshedidnotmeantoobeyhefeltadeadlycoldcreepintohisheart，and，pressingthepalmsofhishandstohistemples，helookeddownonthegroundinmutedespair。DaintookNinabythearmandledhertowardsherfather。
\"Speaktohiminthelanguageofhispeople，\"hesaid。\"Heisgrieving——aswhowouldnotgrieveatlosingthee，mypearl！
Speaktohimthelastwordsheshallhearspokenbythatvoice，whichmustbeverysweettohim，butisallmylifetome。\"
Hereleasedher，and，steppingbackafewpacesoutofthecircleoflight，stoodinthedarknesslookingatthemwithcalminterest。Thereflectionofadistantflashoflightninglitupthecloudsovertheirheads，andwasfollowedafterashortintervalbythefaintrumbleofthunder，whichmingledwithAlmayer\'svoiceashebegantospeak。
\"Doyouknowwhatyouaredoing？Doyouknowwhatiswaitingforyouifyoufollowthatman？Haveyounopityforyourself？
Doyouknowthatyoushallbeatfirsthisplaythingandthenascornedslave，adrudge，andaservantofsomenewfancyofthatman？\"
Sheraisedherhandtostophim，andturningherheadslightly，asked——
\"YouhearthisDain！Isittrue？\"
\"Byallthegods！\"cametheimpassionedanswerfromthedarkness——\"byheavenandearth，bymyheadandthineIswear：
thisisawhiteman\'slie。Ihavedeliveredmysoulintoyourhandsforever；Ibreathewithyourbreath，Iseewithyoureyes，Ithinkwithyourmind，andItakeyouintomyheartforever。\"
\"Youthief！\"shoutedtheexasperatedAlmayer。
Adeepsilencesucceededthisoutburst，thenthevoiceofDainwasheardagain。
\"Nay，Tuan，\"hesaidinagentletone，\"thatisnottruealso。
Thegirlcameofherownwill。Ihavedonenomorebuttoshowhermylovelikeaman；sheheardthecryofmyheart，andshecame，andthedowryIhavegiventothewomanyoucallyourwife。\"
Almayergroanedinhisextremityofrageandshame。Ninalaidherhandlightlyonhisshoulder，andthecontact，lightasthetouchofafallingleaf，seemedtocalmhim。Hespokequickly，andinEnglishthistime。
\"Tellme，\"hesaid——\"tellme，whathavetheydonetoyou，yourmotherandthatman？Whatmadeyougiveyourselfuptothatsavage？Forheisasavage。Betweenhimandyouthereisabarrierthatnothingcanremove。Icanseeinyoureyesthelookofthosewhocommitsuicidewhentheyaremad。Youaremad。
Don\'tsmile。Itbreaksmyheart。IfIweretoseeyoudrowningbeforemyeyes，andIwithoutthepowertohelpyou，Icouldnotsufferagreatertorment。Haveyouforgottentheteachingofsomanyyears？\"
\"No，\"sheinterrupted，\"Irememberitwell。Irememberhowitendedalso。Scornforscorn，contemptforcontempt，hateforhate。Iamnotofyourrace。Betweenyourpeopleandmethereisalsoabarrierthatnothingcanremove。YouaskwhyIwanttogo，andIaskyouwhyIshouldstay。\"
Hestaggeredasifstruckintheface，butwithaquick，unhesitatinggraspshecaughthimbythearmandsteadiedhim。
\"Whyyoushouldstay！\"herepeatedslowly，inadazedmanner，andstoppedshort，astoundedatthecompletenessofhismisfortune。
\"Youtoldmeyesterday，\"shewentonagain，\"thatIcouldnotunderstandorseeyourloveforme：itisso。HowcanI？
Notwohumanbeingsunderstandeachother。Theycanunderstandbuttheirownvoices。Youwantedmetodreamyourdreams，toseeyourownvisions——thevisionsoflifeamongstthewhitefacesofthosewhocastmeoutfromtheirmidstinangrycontempt。ButwhileyouspokeIlistenedtothevoiceofmyownself；thenthismancame，andallwasstill；therewasonlythemurmurofhislove。Youcallhimasavage！Whatdoyoucallmymother，yourwife？\"
\"Nina！\"criedAlmayer，\"takeyoureyesoffmyface。\"
Shelookeddowndirectly，butcontinuedspeakingonlyalittleaboveawhisper。
\"Intime，\"shewenton，\"bothourvoices，thatman\'sandmine，spoketogetherinasweetnessthatwasintelligibletoourearsonly。Youwerespeakingofgoldthen，butourearswerefilledwiththesongofourlove，andwedidnothearyou。ThenIfoundthatwecouldseethrougheachother\'seyes：thathesawthingsthatnobodybutmyselfandhecouldsee。Weenteredalandwherenoonecouldfollowus，andleastofallyou。ThenIbegantolive。\"
Shepaused。Almayersigheddeeply。Withhereyesstillfixedonthegroundshebeganspeakingagain。
\"AndImeantolive。Imeantofollowhim。Ihavebeenrejectedwithscornbythewhitepeople，andnowIamaMalay！Hetookmeinhisarms，helaidhislifeatmyfeet。Heisbrave；hewillbepowerful，andIholdhisbraveryandhisstrengthinmyhand，andIshallmakehimgreat。Hisnameshallberememberedlongafterbothourbodiesarelaidinthedust。IloveyounolessthanIdidbefore，butIshallneverleavehim，forwithouthimI
cannotlive。\"
\"Ifheunderstoodwhatyouhavesaid，\"answeredAlmayer，scornfully，\"hemustbehighlyflattered。Youwanthimasatoolforsomeincomprehensibleambitionofyours。Enough，Nina。
Ifyoudonotgodownatoncetothecreek，whereAliiswaitingwithmycanoe，IshalltellhimtoreturntothesettlementandbringtheDutchofficershere。Youcannotescapefromthisclearing，forIhavecastadriftyourcanoe。IftheDutchcatchthisheroofyourstheywillhanghimassureasIstandhere。
Nowgo。\"
Hemadeasteptowardshisdaughterandlaidholdofherbytheshoulder，hisotherhandpointingdownthepathtothelanding-place。
\"Beware！\"exclaimedDain；\"thiswomanbelongstome！\"
NinawrenchedherselffreeandlookedstraightatAlmayer\'sangryface。
\"No，Iwillnotgo，\"shesaidwithdesperateenergy。\"IfhediesIshalldietoo！\"
\"Youdie！\"saidAlmayer，contemptuously。\"Oh，no！Youshalllivealifeofliesanddeceptiontillsomeothervagabondcomesalongtosing；howdidyousaythat？Thesongoflovetoyou！
Makeupyourmindquickly。\"
Hewaitedforawhile，andthenaddedmeaningly——
\"ShallIcallouttoAli？\"
\"Callout，\"sheansweredinMalay，\"youthatcannotbetruetoyourowncountrymen。Onlyafewdaysagoyouweresellingthepowderfortheirdestruction；nowyouwanttogiveuptothemthemanthatyesterdayyoucalledyourfriend。Oh，Dain，\"shesaid，turningtowardsthemotionlessbutattentivefigureinthedarkness，\"insteadofbringingyoulifeIbringyoudeath，forhewillbetrayunlessIleaveyouforever！\"
Daincameintothecircleoflight，and，throwinghisarmaroundNina\'sneck，whisperedinherear——\"Icankillhimwherehestands，beforeasoundcanpasshislips。Foryouitistosayyesorno。Babalatchicannotbefarnow。\"
Hestraightenedhimselfup，takinghisarmoffhershoulder，andconfrontedAlmayer，wholookedatthembothwithanexpressionofconcentratedfury，\"No！\"shecried，clingingtoDaininwildalarm。\"No！Killme！
Thenperhapshewillletyougo。Youdonotknowthemindofawhiteman。HewouldratherseemedeadthanstandingwhereIam。
Forgiveme，yourslave，butyoumustnot。\"Shefellathisfeetsobbingviolentlyandrepeating，\"Killme！Killme！\"
\"Iwantyoualive，\"saidAlmayer，speakingalsoinMalay，withsombrecalmness。\"Yougo，orhehangs。Willyouobey？\"
DainshookNinaoff，and，makingasuddenlunge，struckAlmayerfullinthechestwiththehandleofhiskriss，keepingthepointtowardshimself。
\"Hai，look！Itwaseasyformetoturnthepointtheotherway，\"
hesaidinhisevenvoice。\"Go，TuanPutih，\"headdedwithdignity。\"Igiveyouyourlife，mylife，andherlife。I
amtheslaveofthiswoman\'sdesire，andshewillsitso。\"
Therewasnotaglimmeroflightintheskynow，andthetopsofthetreeswereasinvisibleastheirtrunks，beinglostinthemassofcloudsthathunglowoverthewoods，theclearing，andtheriver。
Everyoutlinehaddisappearedintheintenseblacknessthatseemedtohavedestroyedeverythingbutspace。Onlythefireglimmeredlikeastarforgotteninthisannihilationofallvisiblethings，andnothingwasheardafterDainceasedspeakingbutthesobsofNina，whomheheldinhisarms，kneelingbesidethefire。Almayerstoodlookingdownatthemingloomythoughtfulness。Ashewasopeninghislipstospeaktheywerestartledbyacryofwarningbytheriverside，followedbythesplashofmanypaddlesandthesoundofvoices。
\"Babalatchi！\"shoutedDain，liftingupNinaashegotuponhisfeetquickly。
\"Ada！Ada！\"cametheanswerfromthepantingstatesmanwhoranupthepathandstoodamongstthem。\"Runtomycanoe，\"hesaidtoDainexcitedly，withouttakinganynoticeofAlmayer。\"Run！
wemustgo。Thatwomanhastoldthemall！\"
\"Whatwoman？\"askedDain，lookingatNina。Justthentherewasonlyonewomaninthewholeworldforhim。
\"Theshe-dogwithwhiteteeth；theseventimesaccursedslaveofBulangi。SheyelledatAbdulla\'sgatetillshewokeupallSambir。Nowthewhiteofficersarecoming，guidedbyherandReshid。Ifyouwanttolive，donotlookatme，butgo！\"
\"Howdoyouknowthis？\"askedAlmayer。
\"Oh，Tuan！whatmattershowIknow！Ihaveonlyoneeye，butI
sawlightsinAbdulla\'shouseandinhiscampongaswewerepaddlingpast。Ihaveears，andwhilewelayunderthebankI
haveheardthemessengerssentouttothewhitemen\'shouse。\"
\"Willyoudepartwithoutthatwomanwhoismydaughter？\"saidAlmayer，addressingDain，whileBabalatchistampedwithimpatience，muttering，\"Run！Runatonce！\"
\"No，\"answeredDain，steadily，\"Iwillnotgo；tonomanwillI
abandonthiswoman。\"
\"Thenkillmeandescapeyourself，\"sobbedoutNina。
Heclaspedherclose，lookingathertenderly，andwhispered，\"Wewillneverpart，ONina！\"
\"Ishallnotstayhereanylonger，\"brokeinBabalatchi，angrily。
\"Thisisgreatfoolishness。Nowomanisworthaman\'slife。
I
amanoldman，andIknow。\"
Hepickeduphisstaff，and，turningtogo，lookedatDainasifofferinghimhislastchanceofescape。ButDain\'sfacewashiddenamongstNina\'sblacktresses，andhedidnotseethislastappealingglance。
Babalatchivanishedinthedarkness。Shortlyafterhisdisappearancetheyheardthewarcanoeleavethelanding-placeintheswishofthenumerouspaddlesdippedinthewatertogether。
AlmostatthesametimeAlicameupfromtheriverside，twopaddlesonhisshoulder。
\"Ourcanoeishiddenupthecreek，TuanAlmayer，\"hesaid，\"inthedensebushwheretheforestcomesdowntothewater。ItookittherebecauseIheardfromBabalatchi\'spaddlersthatthewhitemenarecominghere。\"
\"Waitformethere，\"saidAlmayer，\"butkeepthecanoehidden。\"
Heremainedsilent，listeningtoAli\'sfootsteps，thenturnedtoNina。
\"Nina，\"hesaidsadly，\"willyouhavenopityforme？\"
Therewasnoanswer。Shedidnoteventurnherhead，whichwaspressedclosetoDain\'sbreast。
Hemadeamovementasiftoleavethemandstopped。Bythedimglowoftheburning-outfirehesawtheirtwomotionlessfigures。
Thewoman\'sbackturnedtohimwiththelongblackhairstreamingdownoverthewhitedress，andDain\'scalmfacelookingathimaboveherhead。
\"Icannot，\"hemutteredtohimself。Afteralongpausehespokeagainalittlelower，butinanunsteadyvoice，\"Itwouldbetoogreatadisgrace。Iamawhiteman。\"Hebrokedowncompletelythere，andwentontearfully，\"Iamawhiteman，andofgoodfamily。Verygoodfamily，\"herepeated，weepingbitterly。
\"Itwouldbeadisgrace……allovertheislands，……theonlywhitemanontheeastcoast。No，itcannotbe……whitemenfindingmydaughterwiththisMalay。Mydaughter！\"hecriedaloud，witharingofdespairinhisvoice。
Herecoveredhiscomposureafterawhileandsaiddistinctly——
\"Iwillneverforgiveyou，Nina——never！Ifyouweretocomebacktomenow，thememoryofthisnightwouldpoisonallmylife。
I
shalltrytoforget。Ihavenodaughter。Thereusedtobeahalf-castewomaninmyhouse，butsheisgoingevennow。You，Dain，orwhateveryournamemaybe，Ishalltakeyouandthatwomantotheislandatthemouthoftherivermyself。Comewithme。\"
Heledtheway，followingthebankasfarastheforest。Aliansweredtohiscall，and，pushingtheirwaythroughthedensebush，theysteppedintothecanoehiddenundertheoverhangingbranches。DainlaidNinainthebottom，andsatholdingherheadonhisknees。AlmayerandAlieachtookupapaddle。AstheyweregoingtopushoutAlihissedwarningly。Alllistened。
Inthegreatstillnessbeforetheburstingoutofthethunderstormtheycouldhearthesoundofoarsworkingregularlyintheirrow-locks。Thesoundapproachedsteadily，andDain，lookingthroughthebranches，couldseethefaintshapeofabigwhiteboat。Awoman\'svoicesaidinacautioustone——
\"Thereistheplacewhereyoumaylandwhitemen；alittlehigher——there！\"
Theboatwaspassingthemsocloseinthenarrowcreekthatthebladesofthelongoarsnearlytouchedthecanoe。
\"Wayenough！Standbytojumponshore！Heisaloneandunarmed，\"wasthequietorderinaman\'svoice，andinDutch。
Somebodyelsewhispered：\"IthinkIcanseeaglimmerofafirethroughthebush。\"Andthentheboatfloatedpastthem，disappearinginstantlyinthedarkness。
\"Now，\"whisperedAli，eagerly，\"letuspushoutandpaddleaway。\"
Thelittlecanoeswungintothestream，andasitsprungforwardinresponsetothevigorousdigofthepaddlestheycouldhearanangryshout。
\"Heisnotbythefire。Spreadout，men，andsearchforhim！\"
Bluelightsblazedoutindifferentpartsoftheclearing，andtheshrillvoiceofawomancriedinaccentsofrageandpain——
\"Toolate！Osenselesswhitemen！Hehasescaped！\"
chapter12
CHAPTERXII。
\"Thatistheplace，\"saidDain，indicatingwiththebladeofhispaddleasmallisletaboutamileaheadofthecanoe——\"thatistheplacewhereBabalatchipromisedthataboatfromtheprauwouldcomeformewhenthesunisoverhead。Wewillwaitforthatboatthere。\"
Almayer，whowassteering，noddedwithoutspeaking，andbyaslightsweepofhispaddlelaidtheheadofthecanoeintherequireddirection。
TheywerejustleavingthesouthernoutletofthePantai，whichlaybehindtheminastraightandlongvistaofwatershiningbetweentwowallsofthickverdurethatrandownwardsandtowardseachother，tillatlasttheyjoinedandsanktogetherinthefar-awaydistance。Thesun，risingabovethecalmwatersoftheStraits，markeditsownpathbyastreakoflightthatglidedupontheseaanddartedupthewidereachoftheriver，ahurriedmessengeroflightandlifetothegloomyforestsofthecoast；
andinthisradianceofthesun\'spathwayfloatedtheblackcanoeheadingfortheisletwhichlaybathedinsunshine，theyellowsandsofitsencirclingbeachshininglikeaninlaidgoldendisconthepolishedsteeloftheunwrinkledsea。Tothenorthandsouthofitroseotherislets，joyousintheirbrilliantcolouringofgreenandyellow，andonthemaincoastthesombrelineofmangrovebushesendedtothesouthwardinthereddishcliffsofTanjongMirrah，advancingintothesea，steepandshadowlessundertheclear，lightoftheearlymorning。
Thebottomofthecanoegrateduponthesandasthelittlecraftranuponthebeach。AlileapedonshoreandheldonwhileDainsteppedoutcarryingNinainhisarms，exhaustedbytheeventsandthelongtravellingduringthenight。Almayerwasthelasttoleavetheboat，andtogetherwithAliranithigheruponthebeach。ThenAli，tiredoutbythelongpaddling，laiddownintheshadeofthecanoe，andincontinentlyfellasleep。Almayersatsidewaysonthegunwale，andwithhisarmscrossedonhisbreast，lookedtothesouthwarduponthesea。
AftercarefullylayingNinadownintheshadeofthebushesgrowinginthemiddleoftheislet，Dainthrewhimselfbesideherandwatchedinsilentconcernthetearsthatrandownfromunderherclosedeyelids，andlostthemselvesinthatfinesanduponwhichtheybothwerelyingfacetoface。Thesetearsandthissorrowwereforhimaprofoundanddisquietingmystery。Now，whenthedangerwaspast，whyshouldshegrieve？Hedoubtedherlovenomorethanhewouldhavedoubtedthefactofhisownexistence，butashelaylookingardentlyinherface，watchinghertears，herpartedlips，herverybreath，hewasuneasilyconsciousofsomethinginherhecouldnotunderstand。Doubtlessshehadthewisdomofperfectbeings。Hesighed。Hefeltsomethinginvisiblethatstoodbetweenthem，somethingthatwouldlethimapproachhersofar，butnofarther。Nodesire，nolonging，noeffortofwillorlengthoflifecoulddestroythisvaguefeelingoftheirdifference。Withawebutalsowithgreatprideheconcludedthatitwasherownincomparableperfection。
Shewashis，andyetshewaslikeawomanfromanotherworld。
His！His！Heexultedinthegloriousthought；neverthelesshertearspainedhim。
Withawispofherownhairwhichhetookinhishandwithtimidreverencehetriedinanaccessofclumsytendernesstodrythetearsthattrembledonhereyelashes。Hehadhisrewardinafleetingsmilethatbrightenedherfacefortheshortfractionofasecond，butsoonthetearsfellfasterthanever，andhecouldbearitnomore。HeroseandwalkedtowardsAlmayer，whostillsatabsorbedinhiscontemplationofthesea。Itwasavery，verylongtimesincehehadseenthesea——thatseathatleadseverywhere，bringseverything，andtakesawaysomuch。Hehadalmostforgottenwhyhewasthere，anddreamilyhecouldseeallhispastlifeonthesmoothandboundlesssurfacethatglitteredbeforehiseyes。
Dain\'shandlaidonAlmayer\'sshoulderrecalledhimwithastartfromsomecountryveryfarawayindeed。Heturnedround，buthiseyesseemedtolookratherattheplacewhereDainstoodthanatthemanhimself。Dainfeltuneasyundertheunconsciousgaze。
